Each year, an estimated 48 million people get sick from a foodborne illness, with 128,000 hospitalized and 3,000 deaths. This is why, as food handlers, being knowledgeable about food safety is so important—it can save lives.
Knowing the symptoms of a foodborne illness is just as important to food safety as knowing how to prevent them. Learn what these symptoms are, as well as what to do if you get food poisoning.
There are over 250 identified foodborne diseases, and although they are all different, they tend to have similar symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. These include:
There are six main foodborne illnesses, known as the Big 6. Learn about what they are and more specific symptoms.
Foodborne illnesses can have serious symptoms. The CDC says to seek medical attention if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, do the following:
Diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration. Be sure to drink fluids to prevent this from happening.
Food handlers should not go to work if they are experiencing these symptoms. You can risk passing a foodborne illness along to your customers through the food you are preparing for them.
If you contract a foodborne illness, even if you are not sure where it came from, report it to your local health department. Reporting it can help identify a foodborne illness outbreak and keep others from getting sick.
Learn more about foodborne illnesses and how to prevent them by taking out Food Handler training.
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